LPA Styles It: Issa London for Banana Republic

Designer for high street capsule collections can be a tricky thing. They come heralded by a slew of tweets, press releases, queues and general over excitement. Sometimes they live up to the hype, other times they a total let down. Issa London for Banana Republic falls firmly in the former camp. Banana Republic have a history of doing really great designer collabs (remember Milly this Summer? Or Trina Turk last year?) and they seriously knocked it out of the park with this one. Issa London’s delectable and highly marketable brand of wearable, feminine loveliness is a perfect match for the American high street giant. Two brands renowned for their use of colour and print working together to concoct an array of mouthwatering pieces, genius right? That was certainly what I thought when I previewed the collection last week. I very nearly posted images of the frocks and my own spin on the press release the next day but then Banana Republic and I decided to do something a bit more interesting…

Dawn ’til Dusk

Issa Collection Zebra Print Sweater Dress, £75, click here to buy
Issa Collection Colour Block Cardigan, £59.50, click here to buy
Dahlia Burst Necklace, £61.39, click here to buy
Cabochon Crystal Stretch Bracelet, £24.01, click here to buy
Flavia Foldover Clutch, £54.53, click here to buy
Black Leather Wedge Sandals

Generally speaking I have a major aversion to anything remotely resembling body con but this little number won me over. Form fitting without being rib crushing and adorned with a seriously awesome animal print remix in aqua shades, the perfect work to play dress. The whole “work to play” thing was on my mind when styling this look. I thought the cardigan-worn-as-cape (easy to achieve, go two sizes too big and shoulder robe) and walking friendly wedges keep things office appropriate while the statement jewels and two tone clutch are totally party ready.

Glossy Posse

Issa Collection Olive Zebra Printed Pointe Dress, £85, click here to buy
Issa Collection Canvas Tote, £102.89, click here to buy
Issa Collection Animal Print Scarf, £40.81, click here to buy
Issa Collection Gold Nugget Leather Chord Necklace, £54.53, click here to buy
Studded Leather Bangles, £24.01 each, click here to buy
Brown Leather Wedge Sandals
Madeline sunglasses, £67.22, click here to buy

I’m just going to go ahead and say it, I’m in love with this dress. Cinched waist, skater skirt, pockets, print… Almost too chic! Its also a potentially very hard working piece. Here I styled it for summer with sky high wedges, bare legs and oversized shades but come winter it would look adorable with a black polo neck underneath and possibly a pair of over the knee boots (the footwear du jour for AW13 don’t you know).

Future Prep

Issa Collection Colour Block Top, £49.50, click here to buy
Issa Collection Colour Block Cardigan, £59.50, click here to buy
Carlie Pointed Toe Flat, £75.45, click here to buy
Plaque Stretch Skinny Belt, £27.09, click here to buy
Croc Embossed Oversized Clutch, £61.39, click here to buy

Just as I was thinking that look numero duo was hands down my fave, this ensemble happened. Given my weakness for all things preppy, the second I spotted a colour blocked sweater set in the Issa collection I grabbed it. Sweater sets are a slightly risky business as it’s all too easy to bypass preppy and end up in dullsville and nobody wants that. So in the interest of keeping things fresh I paired it with these A-MAZING iridescent jacquard shorts, sharp toed silver pumps and a grey croc clutch… And then added huge turquoise shades, just for fun.

The Issa London for Banana Republic collection is in stores and online now, get it now before it sells out!

Love Ella. X

Photography by Phill Taylor